Mehrtens is widely regarded as one of the greatest players New Zealand has ever produced and in his 70 appearances for the All Blacks he collected a record haul of 967 Test points.

Born in Durban, South Africa, Mehrtens moved to Christchurch in New Zealand with his parents as a young child and would go on to make his name in the city.

He made his debut for Canterbury in 1993 and went on to make his All Blacks bow in 1995 against Canada. Later that same year he helped steer his country to the Rugby World Cup Final in South Africa where they were beaten by the hosts.

With the advent of Super Rugby, he joined the Canterbury Crusaders in 1996 and by the time he was done, after the 2005 final, he held the record for the most points by any player in the competition. He had also played a key role in his side's five titles, perhaps most significantly breaking the ACT Brumbies' hearts in the 2000 finale in Canberra where his long-range penalty goal just before the death clinched a 20-19 win. He was also on three NPC-winning Canterbury sides, in 1997, 2001 and 2004.

A member of the All Blacks' 1999 Rugby World Cup squad, he was over-looked for their assault on the game's biggest prize in 2003 and claimed his last cap in 2004 before heading north the following year to continue his playing career.

He linked up with English club Harlequins and helped them win promotion back to the Premiership before moving across the Channel to big-spending Toulon where he shared in their successful bid to join France's Top 14. He then opted for a switch to Paris-based Racing Metro 92 - also helping them to earn promotion to the top flight.